Blue Jays’ Atkins can’t say where he is or why he can’t say, but it’s tied to Ohtani | Canada News Media
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Blue Jays’ Atkins can’t say where he is or why he can’t say, but it’s tied to Ohtani

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11 months ago

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In the latest instalment of, Don’t admit you’re trying to sign Shohei Ohtani when you’re really, really, really trying to sign Shohei Ohtani, Toronto Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins moved his winter meetings media session online and then refused to divulge where he was.

“Due to a scheduling conflict,” he said Monday, “I wanted to ensure, out of respect for each of you, to not change this, and Zoom permitted me to do that.”

That a simple question about his whereabouts, when nearly the entire baseball industry is at the Gaylord Opryland resort, is fraught enough to generate such an ambiguous non-answer, underlines just how sensitive and delicate the pursuit of Ohtani is for interested clubs.

Clearly Atkins was not in Nashville — a scheduling conflict, after all, is easily resolved by a simple time change if he’s on site — meaning his absence had to be connected to the courtship process.

One logical guess is that he was still in Los Angeles, where presentations are believed to have been made to the superstar free agent over the weekend. Another possibility, maybe even a more likely one, is that he was back in Toronto, consulting with the senior leadership of owner Rogers Communications Inc. (which also owns this website) on where things stand.

Late Monday night, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that Ohtani is believed to have met with the Blue Jays at the club’s Player Development Complex in Dunedin, Fla. If that’s indeed the case, it’s the clearest signal yet that there’s mutual interest between the sides.

For the time being, though, it’s all conjecture, with an unusually high degree of secrecy around the process. And while Atkins is expected at this sprawling biodome venue Tuesday, his unusual obfuscation demonstrated both the length teams are going to win over Ohtani, and how they’re willing to play by his rules, too.

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All of which made Atkins’ media session simultaneously off-the-charts weird and totally understandable, as no one this far along wants to trip in the home stretch, and if you’re still in the running, you’re clearly prepared to do what it takes.

Why have teams been so tight-lipped on the Ohtani front at the Winter Meetings?

That the Blue Jays are still in play for what’s expected to be a half-a-billion-dollar-plus deal is remarkable in so many ways, especially when you consider that in September 2000, Rogers bought an 80-per-cent stake in the club for US$112 million (at the time roughly C$165 million) before acquiring the remaining 20 per cent for an undisclosed sum in November 2004.

Ohtani, obviously, is a business decision more than a baseball decision, as his fit on the field is universal for all 30 big-league teams, but only a handful are equipped to fully leverage all he brings to the table. One executive suggested that he’s so valuable financially the Angels couldn’t deal him prior to the trade deadline because of all the sponsorship obligations tied to him.

In every way, then, the tantalizing possibility of his signing captures the imagination and the resulting intrigue has taken on a life of its own within the Blue Jays fan base. So too has the notion that Juan Soto, the one-year rental slugger being shopped by the salary-dumping San Diego Padres, could be added as well in NBA-styled super-team push.

Using profiles that describe both, Atkins pumped the brakes on that chatter, saying “it would be exceptionally difficult for us to land two players that are, don’t hold me to this figure, but that are five win and above, $25 million AAV and above.”

At the same time, he definitely didn’t kill the possibility of adding one player who fits that description, at the risk of raising expectations that could very well end up being unmet.

“The fact that we’re in a position to attract marquee free agents, to be in a position to potentially trade for really good players, is a very, very good starting point and one that we are embracing,” Atkins said. “What we’re embracing is the opportunity and (are) entirely focused on that. In terms of expectations, listen, we’re going to do everything we can to make our team better. There are certain players in the game that any team in baseball would like to have, and it’s extremely competitive. We will do everything in our power to build upon this very good team. And that could happen in a lot of different shapes. We’re pushing very hard to do so.”

To that end, Atkins spoke more like a covert spy operative than a baseball general manager, refusing to disclose where he was or what he was doing, choosing his words even more carefully than usual, surely cognizant that any small detail might be the difference.

Even when asked if the top of the Blue Jays acquisition preference list was still in play Atkins offered up a muddy-water reply, saying, “nothing has happened this off-season that has put us in a position that is less strong from our perspective.”

The wut, you ask?

Those are the words of someone refusing to admit a pursuit of Ohtani, while refusing to lie about a pursuit of Ohtani, from a location they can’t reveal tied to Ohtani. This really is uncharted territory for the Blue Jays, in every single way imaginable.

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Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

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November 8, 2024

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LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.

“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”

Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.

The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.

Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.

“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.

“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”

The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.

“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”

Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.

“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.

___

AP cricket:

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Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

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November 8, 2024

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.

Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.

The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.

The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.

Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.

Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

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November 8, 2024

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Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.

The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.

Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.

There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.

Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.

But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.

The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”

The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.

Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.

Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.

Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”

“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.

Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.

Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.

The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.

Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.

Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.

Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.

Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.

Canada Roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).

Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).

Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).

Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).

—

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

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